by Laura Tomah
Yeardisc editor
Disney makes numerous attempts a year to make movies that parents will want to take their children to. Many of the movies seem to make the parents dread taking their children with the fear of inappropriate content or boredom on the parents’ part.
“Cars 2” in 3-D was an excellent movie for children of all ages. The movie packed laughs for children and adults with sudden humor for all age groups. The humorous events that include the misuse of spy gear are sure to keep you laughing long after that scene is over.
All of the original characters stayed true to their roles presented in the first “Cars.” The new characters offered an exciting twist creating lots of new excitement in Radiator Springs and beyond.
This chapter in the “Cars” series of movies primarily focused on Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, who stole the hearts of many in the first movie. Mater’s simple way of life and naiveté to the world soon lands him in a situation of unexpected leadership,to everyone’s disbelief including his own.
Mater finds himself a spy investigating a scandal that soon has his best friend, Lightning McQueen (played by Owen Wilson), in the middle of this scandal. Mater has to step up in his newly assigned role in order to save his best friend from a sticky situation.
Mater has the assistance and guidance of Finn McMissile, voiced by Michael Caine, and Holley Shiftwell, voiced by Emily Mortimer, as he solves a crime that can protect cars everywhere. McMissile and Shiftwell take a great deal of time before they come to the realization that Mater is in fact not a real spy. Rather Mater was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Until the realization occurs, they think Mater is just the new spy on the block and needs their continued guidance. Little do they know they were partially right in the sense that Mater desperately needed their assistance.
Shiftwell and McMissile hook Mater up with spy tools that are voice activated, causing quite a few hilarious occurrences. One tool that is sure to deliver laughs is the disguise generator where Mater can change his body into many different cars.
The animation was of the same high Pixar quality as the previous “Cars” film with great color and realistic movement. The race scenes showcased the detail that the artists went to in putting the film together, particularly when the big race is going on and the car crashes occur.
Normally I am very disappointed by 3-D movies. However I can now say I like a 3-D movie. The creators of “Cars 2” utilized the storyline when selecting what to make appear as it is popping out on the screen for the viewers. In one scene, Mater uses his rockets to fly, and he flies out at the audience, which is an appropriate and exciting use of 3-D animation.
Overall, I would recommend this movie to all who loved the first “Cars.” And if you live under a rock and didn’t see the first “Cars,” watch that one before going to the second movie. I would recommend seeing the first film before seeing the second as it builds the main characters repetition with others so you can get the full value of the second movie. For all of those who loved Mater in the first “Cars,” this movie is for you. For all of those who doubted Mater as a character in the first “Cars,” this movie will prove to you why everyone needs a friend like him.